Apparatus for handling and decorating articles



W. H. NUTT April I, 1941.

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND DECORATING ARTICLES 7 sheets sheet 1 Filed Feb. '7, 1940 I I l I I/ 1 l I 1 IIIIIII ||l Aprifl l, 1941.

APPARATUS HANDLING AND DECORATING ARTICLES Filed Feb. 7, 1940 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN+EIRI MAW April 1, 19 1. w. H. .NUTT 2.237.058

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND DECORATING ARTICLES Filed Feb. 7, 1940 7 Sheets-Shet s NVEN+D I WM $41 M' m /S W. H. NUTT April 1, 1941.

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND DECORATING ARTICLES 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 7, 1940 Iwyrz lwiinuaz (NIB-Ill f.

W. H. NUTT April 1, i941.

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND DECORATING ARTICLES Filed Feb. 7, 1940 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jay W. H. NUT-T April 1, .1941.

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND DECORATING ARTICLES Filed Feb. '7, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVEN+EJR April 1, 1941. w. H. NUTT APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND DECORATING ARTICLES Filed Feb. 7, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 jay W,Q.JM+

Patented Apr. 1, 1941 UNITED STATE s PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR nANnLmG AND DECORAT- me ARTICLES This invention relates to the handling of articles while performing manufacturing operations. More particularly the invention relates to handling articles during and for the purpose of applying decorations thereto.

It is an object of the invention to provide a system and apparatus for handling articles in an eflieient and speedy manner for the purpose of performing manufacturing operations.

It is another object of the invention to provide a machine for handling articles to assure their proper positioning while performing manufacturing operations, such as the application of decorations thereon.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a machine adapted to be used successively for separately applying different parts of a decoration and arranged to assure the accurate positioning 'of the difierent parts of the decoration with relation to one another.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide apparatus for handling articles so that various manufacturing operations may be performed automatically.

Tliese and other objects of the invention will be more clearly understood from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings: in which,

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of apparatus for handling articles to be decorated in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a machine embodying the invention for handling bottles to be decorated;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the machine partly in section;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional front elevational view of a portion of the machine illustrating the parts in different positions;

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of the machine as. viewed from the left in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail elevational view similar to Fig. 5 showing the parts in a difierent position;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view, partly in section, showing a portionof the ma-- chine as viewed in Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 7 but with the parts in different positions;

Fig. 9 is a plan view, partly in section, of a portion of themachine shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line lfl-i0ofFig.7;

Figs. 11 and 12 are sectional views taken upon the line ll--li and iZ-IZ, respectively, of Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a bottle, in section;

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 5 embodying additional mechanism as a modification;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 3 embodying the modification shown in Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is afragmentary view similar to Figs. 5 and 14 embodying additional mechanism as a modification; and

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 3 embodying the modification shown in Fig. 16.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings as embodied in an apparatus for handling bottles when in process of being decorated, such as milk and soda bottles, with ceramic paint. The paint decoration is supplied to the bottle and the latter then transferred to a drier where it is heated to set and render the decoration dry enough to receive another color application. If the decoration contains more than one color, each color is applied to the bottle and is set or dried before another color is applied.

In accordance with the invention the various operations are performed automatically. Thus, the bottles to be decorated are conveyed successively to a decorating machine where a colored ceramic paint is applied to form the decoration. When the decoration has been applied to the bottle it is conveyed out of the decorating machine into a drier or leer while another bottle is conveyed to the machine as illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 1. If the desired decoration contains more than one color, each bottle is conveyed out of the drier and successively to another decorating machine, where another color is applied, and then conveyed through another drier and so on depending upon the number of colors in the desired decoration. After all the colors have been applied, the bottle is passed through a leer to render the colors permanent.

Bottles as now manufactured have longitudinally extending seams or lines 1 upon their outer surface at diametrically opposite positions (Figs. 7, 9 and 13) It is desirable-to position the decoration on the smooth portions between these seams. To assure the proper "positioning of the bottle in the decorating machine for this purpose, the concave outer surface of the bottom of partly each bottle is formed with a depending portion 10 (Fig. 13) providing a vertical surface ll perpendicular to a plane through the opposite scams 1'.

The handling machine illustrated comprises, in general, a conveyor A (Figs. 2', 3 and 5) for conveying bottlwB upon a platform? and a con? veyor C for. dischargingdecorated bottlesfrom .the platform; The bottles are fed successively upon a work table or support T (Figs. 5,, 7, 8, and 11'). by feeding mechanism D' (Figs. 2,8, and

5). After'pr'operly arranging the bottle in a end and meshes with a pinion l6 ona shaft 'n predetermined desired position upon the table T 1 by arranging mechanism'E (Figs. 3 and the table T with its associated bottle holding mechanism F is moved to bring the bottle in operative relation to the paint-applyingmechanism G as shown in dottedlines in Fig. 5. The work table veyor A comprising fixed and adjustable guides l8 and I5, respectively, and an adjustable stop IS. The adjustable stop l6 serves to aline successive bottles B between the feeding mechanism D-and the work table T.

The feed mechanism D comprises a lever ll pivotally mounted at one. end to the frame l3 and pivotally connected at its other end-to a block l8. A plate I9 is adjustably mounted upon the block l8 so as to overlap the edge of the platform P. A lever 28is fixed upon one end of a rock shaft 2| which ismounted in suitable bearings carried by the frame l3. The free end of the lever 28 carries a cam roll 22 adapted to engage a cam groove 23 in the left end of a cam 24 as viewed in Figs. 2 and 3. The cam 24 is fixed upon the main shaft 25 which is mounted for rotation in suitable bearings carried by the frame l3. A lever 26 is fixed at one end to the shaft 2| and is pivotally connected at its other end to one end of a rod 21 which is connected near its other end 3 by a pivotable and yieldable connection 28 to the lever l'l intermediate the ends of the latter.

The end of the plate l9 which overlaps the platform 8 P is provided with aV-shaped recess 38 adapted f to engage the surface of a bottle near the bottom thereof. A rod 3| projecting upwardly from the plate l9 adjacent the recess 38 is provided near its upper end with a member 32 adapted to engage the surface of the neckof the bottle.

A post 35 is secured to the frame l3 and projects upwardly from the backthereof and is provided with a pair of spaced forwardly projecting brackets 36. The post 35 also carries abracket 31 projecting forwardly therefrom at a position between the brackets 36 and slightly below the latter. An arm 38 is fixed atone end to a shaft 39 which extends betweenand is mounted for rotation in bearings carried by the forward ends of the brackets 36. The arm 381s provided intermediate its ends with an elongated rectangular shaped opening 88, surrounding the-upwardly extending forward end of the bracket 31.

The work table T is rotatably supported upon ball bearings I carried by the arm 38 and prm jecting above its top surface adjacent its forward end. The table T-is provided with 9. depending sleeve 82 mountedfo'r rotation in the arm 38. A

shaft 83 is mounted for rotation within the sleeve 42 and extends upwardly through the table T and is provided at its upper end' with a; detachable head having a vertical surface I adapted to engage the surface upon a bottle B. A pinion 45 is, secured to the shaft 43 near its lower 75 friction drive disk 68 fixed-in a cup 55 formed in the upper end of a shaft 5| which is mounted for rotation inspaced bearings 52' in a bracket 9 53 projecting upwardly from the frame l3 (Figs. 5

and 10). A spring 54 surrounds the shaft 6| with one end engaging the top surface of the upper bearing 52 and its other end engaging the shoulder formed by the cup 55. The spring 54 serves to provide a yielding driving connection between the disk 58 and the pinion 46. A collar 56 is secured upon the shaft 5| between the bearings 52 and limits the upward movement of the disk 58 when the latter is not engaging the pinion 86 as described hereinafter. A stop 51 projects upwardly from a clamping ring 58 which is secured to the upper bearing 52 by a clamping screw 59. A stop screw 68 secured to the pinion 86 near its periphery and depending from its lower surface is adapted to engage the stop 51. The shaft 5| is connected with the main shaft 25 by a belt 6| extending between and engaging pulleys s2 and s: fixed upon the main driving shaft 25 and the shaft 6| respectively.

A plate 66 is slidably mounted in a guideway formed by spaced projections 61 extending upwardly from the bracket 31 into the opening 88 in the arm 38. The plate 66 is provided with a between spaced lugs 14 depending from the forward end of the plate II. The forward end of the arm 13 is adapted to project over the back edge of the work table T and be engaged by a bottle B as the latter is fed into its position upon the table. The rear end of the arm 13 is provided with a weight I5 for a purpose described hereinafter. A botle positioning plate 16 is ad-' justably secured upon the arm 38 by a clamping screw 11. The forward endof the plate'f'l6 is provided with a pair of forked arms 18 connected by a cross member 19. A roll 88 ismounted on each of the arms 18 and is adapted to be engaged by a bottle upon the table T and limit its rear ward position thereon.

A bottle is held upon the table '1' by the clamping device F which comprises a post slidably mounted in a sleeve 86 forming part of a yoke 81 projecting upwardly from the arm 38 at opposite sides of the opening 48. The post 85 is adapted to rest upon the plate 66 when the latter is in its forward position as shown in Fig. 8. An arm 88 is secured at one..end to the post 85 nearthe upper end of the latter. A plug 89 is rotatably carried at the free end of the arm 88 .and'is adapted to project into a bottle B and engage the rim thereon. A spring 98 surrounds the post .85 and extends between the sleeve 86 and a collar 9| fixed upon the post. The spring 98 serves to move the post 85 downwardly to the position shown in Fig. 'l to bring the plug 88 into yielding engagement with the bottle B when the plate '66 is in its rearmost position.

The arm 38, together with the work table T and the clamping mechanism F carried thereby,

is adapted to be moved from the full line position to/the dotted line position shown in Fig. by

mechanism including an arm 93, one end of hlchds fixed to the shaft 33, and an arm 35 one end of which is pivotally mounted upon a bracket 36 projecting upwardly from the frame II. The free ends of the arms 33 and 95 are plvotally connected to opposite ends of arod 94. A cam roll 91 mounted upon the arm 35 intermediate its ends is adapted to engage a cam groove 90 in the end of the cam 24 at the right as viewed in Fig. 2.

The bottle ejecting mechanism H comprises an arm I00 which is pivotally mounted at its lower end between spaced lugs IOI projecting upwardly from the frame I3. The other end of the arm I00 is pivotally connected to one end of an arm I02. The other end of the arm I02 slidably engages the top surface of the platform P and is provided with a V-shaped recess I03 adapted to engage the surface of a bottle B. The arm I00 is provided with a rearwardly projecting lug I 04 intermediate its ends in which is mounted a cam roll Iilii adapted to engage a cam groove Iii? formed in the cylindrical surface of the cam 25.

The paint-applying mechanism G is supported upon the post 35. A slide III) is provided with a tongue III adapted to engage slideways in the top of the post 35. A bolt IIIZ adjustably secures the slide to the post 3%. A projection IIS extends upwardly from the forward edge of the slide IIb and is provided with a tongue HQ adapted to engage slideways in a slide IIIS integrally secured to the rear portion of an inverted channel member Ill. The channel member III is secured in desired adjusted position by a bolt I36. Each of the opposite walls of the channel member II? is provided with spaced inwardly extending ribs I08 and I09 forming a groove I58 therebetween. The paint-applying mechanism G is movably supported in the grooves .I I8 by rolls H9 carried by spaced mounting members I20 and iii. Each of the mounting members I29 and I 2i is of similar construction and comprises a pair of spaced levers I22 connected by a cross member I231 One of the rolls H9 is mounted upon each of the levers I22 intermediate its ends.- A pair of spaced ears I24 extend upward from I the cross member I23. The opposite ends of a link I25 are pivotally connected between the pairs of ears I24 on the mounting members I20 and HI.

A roll I30 is mounted upon the end of each of the levers I22 at the right as viewed in Figs.'

1, 3 and 4 and is adapted to project into one of the grooves II8. One end of a member I3I is positioned between the other ends of the levers I22 of each of the mounting members I20 and I2I and depends therefrom. The other end of each of the members I3I is provided with a groove I32 to receive one of the two cross members I33 of a rectangular frame I34. A pair of spaced rolls I35 carried by each of the members I3I engage inclined elongated slots I36 in the member I33. A bracket I 31 depends from each corner of the frame I34 and each is provided with a groove I38 adapted to receive a rectangular paint platen I40 which is held securely in position by set screws MI. The platen I40 comprises a hollow receptacle containing the paint to'be applied to the bottle. A screen, such as a piece of silk or other material of a porous nature, is stretched across the bottom of the platen I40. This screen is prepared with the desired design and then treated so that the paint may pass throughthose portions only forming part of the design. A squeegee I is secured to one end of each of a pair of plates I49 which are adjustably secured together and slidably mounted in a bracket I5I secured to the end of the channel member III at the right as viewed in Figs. 3 and 4. The upper plate I49 is provided with an upwardly extending projection" I52 adapted to engage the bracket I5I. A spring I53 tends to maintain the projection I52 in engagement with the bracket I5I and, for this purpose, one end is connected to the upper squeegee plate I49 and its other end is connected to a pin I54 depending from the member II'Inear its end at the left as viewed in Fig. 3.

A rod I26 is provided with a yoke I2'I at one end which straddles the ears I2 3 of the mounting member IZI and is pivotally connected thereto. The other end of the rod I20 is provided with a yoke I28 in which one end of a link I29 is pivotally mounted.

The other end of the link I29 is provided with a block I55 having a slideway I5? extending forwardly and rearwardly of the machine. A block I58 formed on the upper end of a lever I59 is provided with a tongue adapted to cooperate with the slideway dbl. The blocks I it and I58 are secured in desired relative position by a bolt IN. A plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures I M are formed in the lever I53 near its other end. A bracket I62 depending from the frame I3 is provided with a plurality of similarly spaced apertures I63. The lever I59 may be pivotally connected to the frame It by a bolt I65 passing through any corresponding pair of apertures ISI and I63. The lever I59 is provided with a forwardly extending lug I66 in which is mounted a cam roll I 5'! adapted to engage a cam groove I50 formed in the cylindrical surface of the cam 24.

The main shaft 25 may be rotated from any suitable source of power by a belt I70 passing over a pulley III fixed upon the shaft 25.

Bottles placed upon the conveyor A are moved thereby through the guides I 4 and I5 so that a plurality of bottles are always positioned upon the platform P with one in engagement with the stop I6 and in alinement with the feeding mechanism D and the work table T. As the main shaft 25 is rotated, the feeding mechanism D is actuated to feed a bottle from the dotted-line position upon the platform P to the full-line position upon the work table T, as shown in Fig. 5 When the feed mechanism D has returned to the position shown in Figs. 2 and 5, the conveyor A causes another bottle to be moved in engagement with the stop I6. When a bottle is being fed to the work table T the holding mechanism F is in its inoperative position with the post resting upon the slide 66. As the bottle is moved upon the table T it comes in engagement with the lever I3 and gradually moves the slide 66 to the left as viewed in Figs. 5, 7, 8 and 9. About the time the bottle engages the positioning rolls 80, the slide 66 has been moved to a position out of engagement with the post 85 thereby permitting the spring to move the post 85 downward and bring the plug 89 in engagement with the neck of the bottle under a yielding pressure to hold the bottle upon the table.

When the bottle reaches the work table T, rotation of the shaft 43 brings the surface 45 of the head 44 in engagement with the surface II on the bottle. The bottle then rotates with the shaft 43 until the stop screw 60 engages the stop 51 whereupon further rotation of the bottle is prevented. The bottle is now arranged with the scams 1 in a predetermined desired position for receiving the decoration.

. As the rotation of the cam 24 continues, the lever 95 and arm 93 are actuated to turn the arm 38 together with the table T- and bottle from the full-line position to .the dotted-line position shown in Fig. 5. The seams r on.,the bottle now ;lie in a common vertical plane,i--as shown in dotted-lines in Fig. 3. a

As the arm 38 is turned the slide 66 is moved to 1 its forward position due to the action of .the spring rolls I38 from engagement with the ribs I88 into engagementwith the ribs I89 and swinging the levers I22 to lower the platen I48. 'Further movement of the lever I59 to the left causes the platen 1 I48 to move to the left and be brought in engagement with the surface of the bottle. If the sur- 1 face of the bottle happens to be slightly conical 1 rather than cylindrical, accurate engagement of the platen with the bottle is assured by self-adjustment due to the action of the rolls I35 riding in the slots I36. When the squeegees I58 are positioned as shown in Fig. 4, the stop I52 engages the bracket I5l to maintain the squeegees in such position relative to the axis of the bottle as the platen continues to move to the left. -Further I movement of the platen to the left causes the bottle to rotate so that the paint is applied .to the smooth surface between the seams 1'.

As the action of the cam 24 causes the lever I59 to begin its movement toward the right as viewed in Fig. 3, the lugs I24 first are turned from the positions shown in Fig. 4 to that shown in Fig. 3, thereby raising the platen. The platen is then moved to the right and returned to its initial position, as viewed in Fig. 3.

Thereafter the cam 24 causes the arm 93 to 1 turn in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 5, i to move the arm 38 together with the bottle and work table T from the dotted-line position to the full-line position shown in. Fig. 5, and bring the pinion 46 back in engagement with the friction disk 58. Inasmuch as the slide 88 is now in its forward position, the end of the post 85 engages the slide 66 to move the plug 89 upwardly out of j engagement with the neck of the bottle against 1 the action of the spring 98. As the arm 38 approachesits full-line position shown in Fig. 5,

I the lever I88 is moved from the position shown in Fig. 3 to the right to eject the bottle from the work table T onto the platform P. Another bottle B now is moved by the feeding mechanism D from its position on the plateform P in engagement with the stop I6 onto the work-table T and the cycle of operations above described are repeated. As the bottles are ejected from the table I T, the previously ejected bottle is moved from the platform P onto the conveyor C and conveyed by the latter into a drier. to dry the ceramic paint upon the surface of the bottle.

it is moved to and from the paint applying position. With this in view, a mechanism such as illustrated in Figs. 14 and 15 may be embodied in the paint applying machine. Thus, a bell crank 288 is pivotally mounted upon a projection 28l depending from .the arm 38 beneath the table T. A shoe 282 carried by one .end of the bell crank 288 normally is held against the face of the pinion 48 by a spring 283 extending between one arm of the bell crank andthe arm 38. The other arm of the bell crank 288 is formed with a. cam surface 284 adapted to be engaged by a roll 285' mounted upon one end of a level 286 which is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends upon the bracket 53. One end of a rod 281 is pivotally connected to the other end of the .lever 286 and the other end of the rod is pivotally connected to the lever I! of the feed mechanism D. A cam rail 288 is formed upon a bracket 289 depending from the member I31. 7

In the embodiment of theinvention, illustrated in Figs. 14 and 15, as the feeding mechanism D is moved to feed a bottle from the platform P to the work table T, the movement of they lever I! in a counter-clockwise direction causes the lever 286 to pivot in a counter-clockwise direction. This movement of the lever 286 causes the bell crank 288 to turn in a clockwise direction against theaction of the spring 283 and thus move the shoe 282 out of engagement with the pinion 45. The pinion 45 now 'is free to be rotated to positionthe bottle properly upon the table T, as previously described. As the lever I1 is moved-in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 14, the shoe 282 is returned to its holding position in engagement with the pinion 46 and the arm 38. carrying the work table T and bottle is moved from the full line to the dotted line position, shown in Fig. 14. As the platen I48 is moved to the left, as viewed in Fig. 15, and is about to engage the bottle, the cam rail 288 engages the cam surface 284 upon the bell crank 288 to turn the latter in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 14, and releases the shoe 282 from engagement with the pinion 45, thereby permitting the bottle to rotate in engagement with the platen and receive the paint.

decoration.

As the platen I48 is moved to the right, as viewed in Fig. 15, back to its inoperative position, the cam rafl 288 moves out of engagement with the cam surface 284, thereby permitting the spring 283 to return the shoe 282 to its position in engagement with the face of the pinion 45. Thus, displacement of the bottle is prevented as the arm 38 is moved from the dotted line to the full line position, shown in Fig. 14.

If the desired decoration contains more than one color, a plurality of decorating machines are employed in an arrangement such as is illustrated in Fig. 1. Under such conditions each bottle passes successively through each decorating machine where the diiferent colors are applied thereto. Each bottle is conveyed from each of the Under certain circumstances, additional provision may be desirable for assuring against displacement of the bottle after it has been properly positioned upon the work table T, that is, while C, and is conveyed thereby through the drier O2 and then on to the platform of the decorating v decorating machines into a drier and then from the drier to the next decorating machinen Thus, as illustrated in Fig. 1, each bottle is conveyed by the conveyor A on to the platform P of the decorating machine M, and after paint is applied thereby the bottle is discharged therefrom by the v conveyor 0. The conveyor C conveys the bottle through the drier O, and then on to the platform of the decorating machine M2. charged from the machine M2 by the conveyor The bottle is dismachine M3. The conveyor 02 conveys the bottle through the final decorating leer 08.

In the modification illustrated in Figs. 16 and 17 means is provided similar to that shown in Figs. 14 and 15 for assuring against displacement of the bottle after it has been properly positioned upon the work table T. In addition, in the construction shown in Figs. 16 and 17, means is provided for moving the head H from its position where it is adapted to engage the surface ll of the bottle to a lower position with respect'to the top surface of the table T so as'to remove the head 44' from the path of movement of the bottle as the latter is fed upon the table and ejected therefrom. Thus, the shaft 43' which carries the head 44' is mounted for axial movement in the sleeve 42 to permit the head 44 to be moved from the position shown in Fig. 17 into a recess 300 in the ,top of the table T. A bell crank 200' is pivotally mounted upon a projection 20l' depending from the arm 38 beneath the table T. A collar is fixed upon the shaft 43' below the pinion l5 and in spaced relation with respect to the latter to provide a groove 302 therebetwcen. Shoes 202' carried by one end of the bell crank 200' normally are held against the face of the pinion 46 in the groove 302 by a spring 203' extending between one arm of the bell crank and the arm 38. The other arm of the bell crank 200' is formed with a cam surface 204'. A pairof bell cranks 306 and 301 are pivotally mounted intermediate their ends upon the bracket 53. A roll 305 is mounted upon one end of each of the bell cranks 306 and 30'! and is adapted to engage the cam surface 204'. One end of a rod 201 is pivotally connected to. the other end of the bell crank 30'! and its other end is connected by a ball and socket connection to the lever ll of the feed mechanism D. One end of a rod 308 is connected by a ball and socket connection to the other end of the bell crank 306 and the other end of the rod 308 is connected by a ball and socket connection to the lever I00 of the ejecting mechanism H.

As the feed mechanism D is actuated to move a bottle from the dotted-line position on the platform P to the full-line position upon the table T as shown in Fig. 16, the bell crank 30'! is rotated to bring the roll 305 carried thereby into engagement with the cam surface 204' to turn the bell crank 200' and cause the shaft 43 to be moved axially to bring the head 44' out of the path of movement of the bottle B. As the feed mechanism is returned to its original position, the shaft 43 is moved axially to return the head 44' to its position as shown in Fig. 17 so that it may cooperate with the surface II on the bottle to position the latter as predetermined upon the table T i As the lever I00 of the ejecting mechanism H is moved toward the right as viewed in Fig. 17, the rod 308 is moved to turn the bell crank 306 to bring the roll 305 carried thereby into engagement with the cam surface 204' and turn the bell crank 200'. This causes the shaft 43' to be moved axially to move the head 44' out of the path of movement of the bottle as it is ejected from the table T onto the platform P. As the ejecting mechanism is returned to its initial position as illustrated in Fig. 17, the shaft 43 is moved axially to return the head 44' to the position shown in Fig. 17.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus for handling articles, a support for the article movable between a receiving and a decorating station, means for mov- 'ing an article onto said support from a position adjacent said receiving station, means rendered operative by so moving said article for holding the articles on said support, means operative at said receiving station for arranging the article in a predetermined position on said support, and

-means for moving said support between said stations.

2. In an apparatus for handling articles, a support, for the article movable between a receiving and a decorating station, means for moving an article onto said support from a position adjacent said receiving station, means rendered operative by so moving said article for holding the article on said support, means operative at said receiving station for arranging the article in a predetermined position on said support, and means for moving said support between said stations, and means operative as said support approaches said receiving station for releasing said holding means.

3. In an apparatus for handling articles, a support for the article movable between a receiving and a decorating station, means for moving an article onto said support from a position adjacent said receiving station, means rendered operative by so moving said article for holding the article on said support, means operative at said receiving station for arranging the article in a predetermined position on said support, means for moving said support between said stations, means operative as said support approaches said receiving station for releasing said holding means, and means for conveying an article away from said receiving station.

4. In an apparatus for handling articles, a frame, a support for the article movable on said frame between a receiving and a decorating station,"yieldable means associated with said support for holding an article on said support, means for conveying an article on to said support,'a slide movable on said frame independent of said support from a position to maintain said holding means out of engagement with said article to a position to release said holding means, means operable as an article is conveyed onto said support to move said slide in a direction to release said holding means, and means tending to move said slide in the opposite direction.

5. In an apparatus for handling articles, a frame, a support for the article movable on said frame betweena receiving and a decorating station, yieldable means associated with said support for holding an article on said support, means for conveying an article on to said support, a slide movable on said frame independent of said support from a position to maintain said holding means out of engagement with said article to a position to release said holding means, means operable as an article is conveyed. onto said support to move said slide in a direction to release said holding means, means tending to move said slide in the opposite direction, means carried by said support adapted to be rotated for arranging an article thereon in a predetermined position, and means carried by said frame for rotating said arranging means to a predetermined position when said support is in said receiving position.

6. In an apparatus for handling articles, a support for the article to be decorated, means for feeding an article upon said support, means for ejecting an article from said support, means for arranging an article on said support in a predetermined position,-and means adapted to be actuated by said feeding and ejecting means for moving said arranging means first out of its 1 operative position and then into its operative position.

7. In an apparatus for handling bottles, sepa- 1 rate spaced endless feed and discharge conveyors having smooth uninterrupted bottle supporting surfaces arranged to move in laterally spaced paths in a horizontal plane to carry bottles in h an upright position, a work support adapted to be positioned between said conveyors in said plane to receive a bottle in an upright position from said feed conveyor and permit its discharge on to said discharge conveyor, a stationary stop associated with said feed conveyor for positioning bottles successively opposite said support, 1 means for feeding a bottle so positioned on to i said support, means 'for moving said support from its work receiving position to another position and return, means for discharging a bottle from said support on to said discharge conveyor, and mechanism for actuating each of said means successively in the order mentioned.

8. In an apparatus for handling bottles, separate spaced endless feed and discharge convey- I ors having smooth uninterrupted bottle supporting surfaces arranged to move in laterally spaced paths in a horizontal plane to carry bottles in an upright position, a work support adapted to be positioned between said conveyors in said plane to receive a bottle in an upright position from said feed conveyor and permit its discharge on to said discharge conveyor, a stationary stop associated with saidfeed conveyor for positioning bottles successively opposite said support, means for feeding a bottle so positioned on to said support, means for moving said support plane to carry bottles in an upright position, a

work support adapted to bepositioned between said conveyors in said plane to receive a bottle in an upright position from said feed conveyor and' permit its discharge'on "to said discharge conveyor, means for feeding a bottle on to said support, means for movingsaid support from its work receiving position to another position and return, means for discharging a bottle from said support on to said discharge conveyor, mechanism for actuating each of said means successively in the order mentioned, and means associated with said feed conveyor for stopping movement of successive bottles carried thereby in a position to be moved by said feeding means.

10. In an apparatus for handling bottles, separate spaced endless feed and discharge conveyors having smooth uninterrupted bottle supporting surfaces arranged to move in a'horizontal plane to carry bottles inan upright position, a work support adapted to be positioned between said conveyors in saidplane to-receive a bottle in an upright'position from said feed conveyor and permit its discharge on to said discharge conveyor, means for feeding a bottle on to said support, a decorating-device movable in a second horizontal plane, means for. moving said support from itswork receiving position to a second position in which the bottle thereon is supportedhorizontal and may be engaged by said device and then return the support to its work receiving position, means for discharging a bottle from said support on to said discharge conveyor, mechanism for actuating each of said means successively in' the order mentioned, means associated with said feed conveyor for stopping movement of successive bottles carried thereby in a position to be moved by said feeding means, and means actuated by said mechanism for moving'said device in said second plane 'while said support is in said second position,

11. In an apparatus for handling articles, means for rotatably supporting an article, a guide positioned adjacent said supporting means and extending transversely of the axis of an article supported thereby, a rocker mechanism mounted for movement along said guide and for limited rocking movement relative thereto, a decorating device supported by said rocker mechanism, and means for moving said rocker -mechani'sm along said guide first in one direc- 

